By Martin Smith | AFL
COLLINGWOOD legend Scott Pendlebury has notched up his 10,000th career disposal in front of a sold-out MCG crowd on Thursday, extending his lead as the most prolific ball-winner in VFL/AFL history. Pendlebury started the day just four possessions short of the 10,000 mark and brought up the milestone during the first quarter of the traditional Anzac Day game against Essendon with a handball in the defensive 50 to help repel another Bombers attacking move.
Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury receives an ovation after becoming the first VFL/AFL player to reach 10,000 career disposals The moment was acknowledged with warm applause from the huge MCG crowd. In a neat piece of symmetry, Pendlebury’s tally of 10,000 was made up of 5,003 handballs and 4,997 kicks. Pendlebury was within reach of the milestone in Collingwood’s past two games, but was subbed out of matches against Hawthorn (after six touches) and Port Adelaide (after 18 disposals). Scott Pendlebury kicks the ball during Collingwood’s clash against Port Adelaide in round six, 2024.
Last year, Pendlebury moved past the all-time VFL/AFL record of most career disposals that had belonged to St Kilda great Robert Harvey. Among current players, only Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak has had more than 8000 career disposals. Scott Pendlebury is tackled by Lachie Neale during the R3 match between Collingwood and Brisbane at the Gabba on March 28, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos More history awaits the Pies legend this season, provided he can stay on the park. Only five men have ever made it to the magical 400-game milestone and Pendlebury could make it six by the end of the year. Having played 25 games in 2023, Pendlebury could reach the milestone as early as the Pies’ round 18 game against Geelong. And should the Pies manage to surge into September again and their former skipper stay fit, he could well finish the season in third place given Dustin Fletcher (400 games), Kevin Bartlett (403) and Shaun Burgoyne (407) are all within reach.
Beyond that trio, only Brent Harvey (432) and Michael Tuck (426) would stand ahead of him. Most career disposals 9,996 – Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood, 2006-2024) 9,656 – Robert Harvey (St Kilda, 1988-2008) 9,213 – Brent Harvey (North Melbourne, 1996-2016) 9,151 – Kevin Bartlett (Richmond, 1965-1983) 8,896 – Gary Ablett jnr (Geelong & Gold Coast, 2002-2020)